B&J Bookkeeping is getting ready for income tax filing season, which also comes with scams and frauds of all kinds. The scammers come out each year with a new bag of tricks guaranteed to cost you thousands at least should you fall for them. To help you out, here is everything we know about 2022 income tax scams.
1. The Unemployment Scam
Were you lucky enough not to collect unemployment benefits this year? The scammers don’t care. They steal your identity via a number of ways. They then file and collect these benefits on your behalf. You may not find out about this until you file for taxes. Why is this? These benefits are considered taxable income and will be reported to the IRS. Avoid this scam by not giving your information, such as your SSN or current employer, to anyone who doesn’t merit it. You can also be alerted of this scam in time to stop it under these circumstances:
- You receive an IRS form 1099-G, or the one used for unemployment benefits. Contest this immediately if you did not receive any benefits or if the dollar amount is incorrect.
- The government may send you a letter regarding your unemployment benefits claim, payments, or related issue.
- Your employer or former employer contacts you regarding an unemployment benefit claim.
2. Text Message Scam
We have no idea how these scammers get your mobile number, but they will. They will text you something on behalf of the IRS on an urgent matter. DO NOT RESPOND TO THESE MESSAGES. The IRS will never contact you via text message. This includes any tax payments regarding COVID, stimulus payments, or anything else that a scammer would think you would fall for.
3. Business Tax Scams
This is the time of year when your business will receive tons of tax documents. Some of them will be legitimate. Others will not. Especially invoices or requests for more information on your business that seem legitimate. Tax scammers are hoping you are too busy to notice these false documents and fill them out – or even pay them. Unfortunately, it is difficult for the Average Joe to tell the difference between real and false documents. This is where your bookkeeper can come in to help you decipher which is the real deal.
Learn more about income tax fraud by visiting the IRS site
Get a Bookkeeper to Help Prevent 2022 Income Tax Scams
The best way to avoid tax scams targeted towards individuals and businesses is to get a bookkeeper to review anything the real or fake IRS sends you. Feel free to contact us if you live in Houston or the surrounding areas and want to learn more on our services.
